Guidelines for Research Postings

This page lists our current guidelines for researchers wishing to promote their research participation opportunities with Autism Ontario. These guidelines are meant to promote transparency and reflect the collaborative nature of the relationships we wish to maintain with the autism research community. In the spirit of collaboration, we have suggested several ways of giving back below, for researchers to consider.

Autism Ontario currently promotes research participation opportunities for studies likely to produce knowledge that benefits Ontario autistic individuals and families. We encourage researchers to consider priorities of individuals and families, and demonstrate sensitivity to autistic autonomy and identity. For examples, see the report, Community Priorities for Research on Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

If you are conducting research and would like Autism Ontario to share your recruitment posting, please email research@autismontario.com to request the submission form.

Required Submission Materials:

When completing the form, you will be asked to include:

  1. Text of proposed posting (150-250 words): 
  • Include:
    • Institution hosting the research
    • Study purpose & research questions
    • Participant eligibility criteria
    • What participation involves
    • Compensation (if applicable)
  • If you are seeking participants from specific Ontario regions, please list the regions explicitly in your proposed posting
  • Contact information for participants interested in learning more
  1. Proof of Research Ethics Board (REB) approval
  2. Study protocol (e.g., protocol submitted for ethics approval)
  3. Study flyer or recruitment material

If you have any questions, or if you would like to instead request Autism Ontario as a research partner (i.e., involving us in the research process beyond recruitment), please email research@autismontario.com.

Extensions and keeping postings current

If your recruitment period will extend beyond 3 months, you can request an extension by emailing research@autismontario.com within the 2 weeks before your study's posted End Date. Similarly, please notify us if recruitment stops before your posted End Date.

Giving back to Autism Ontario
As a researcher, please consider reciprocating by doing one or more of the following:

  • Donate to Autism Ontario
  • Contribute a story about your research, or research in general, to our magazine, Autism Matters
  • Present an Autism Ontario Webinar, which will be shared open access and can be linked
  • Volunteer your availability as an expert that Autism Ontario can call on to present at a local community event